Thai metalcore band Annalynn have suspended all activities after singer Nathaphon “Bon” Jutathaveewan admitted to faking a cancer diagnosis to pay off debts.
Back in July, it was announced that Jutathaveewan had been diagnosed with stomach cancer, leading to financial donations, increased show bookings, and fundraising merchandise. Both the band and its record label implored fans to provide donations to help with medical expenses due to the singer “being from a third world country.” The original GoFundMe information can be seen here.
Now Jutathaveewan has come forward, admitting in a statement that he feigned the illness for money to pay off personal debts and loans, adding that nobody else, including his bandmates and label, was involved in the deception. The members of Annalynn also released a collective statement explaining their side of the story.
Jutathaveewan’s statement read [via Lambgoat]:
“I would like to offer my sincerest apologies to everyone for everything that has transpired, especially for both the deception around my health issues and the false claims that were made. I deeply regret my actions and fully accept responsibility for the mistakes I have made. I am truly sorry for the harm and distress this has caused.
The problems I have faced stemmed from personal financial struggles, including debts from illegal loans and poor business decisions that I failed to manage over the years. The situation escalated to the point where I couldn’t see a way out, and I was placed under immense pressure, both financially and personally, which led to the mistakes I made.
Unfortunately, I have betrayed the trust and kindness that so many of you have shown me. My poor decisions have impacted not only my own life but also the lives of others around me, and I deeply regret that.
I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT NO ONE ELSE—BE IT THE MUSIC LABEL, FRIENDS, MY FAMILY, OR MY BANDMATES—WAS INVOLVED IN THESE ISSUES.
I am now facing the consequences of my choices and have learned invaluable lessons from this experience. I am committed to doing everything in my power to make things right and resolve the situation as quickly as possible. I understand that my words cannot undo the damage that has been done, but I want to humbly ask for your forgiveness. I am truly sorry for the pain and inconvenience my actions have caused, and I am deeply remorseful for the trust I have broken.”
The corresponding statement from Annalynn, via Instagram, explains that the other members of the band had asked Jutathaveewan to provide official proof of his diagnosis after “suspicions about Bon’s illness first arose,” prompting a band meeting.
The statement adds, “Effectively immediately, Annalynn will suspend all activities, including performances, merchandise sales, and any use of the band’s name in any capacity,” and continues, “We, as the remaining members of Annalynn, deeply regret the pain and distress caused by Bon’s actions.”
The final sign-off implies that the band may be done for good.
“The four of us are deeply saddened and disappointed by Bon’s actions,” it read. “We sincerely thank everyone who has support Annalynn throughout the years.”
You can read Annalynn’s full statement below.
